HRRG Unveils Global RightsCon Awards, Honours Mahama, Tinubu, Prof. Lumumba in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, renowned Kenyan legal scholar Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Access Now and several distinguished African leaders and institutions have been honoured at the inaugural HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, officially unveiled by Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) in Abuja, Nigeria.
The awards ceremony was held on Tuesday, July 14, as one of the highlights of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel under the theme “Championing Human Rights and Democratic Renewal.”
The event attracted an impressive gathering of African leaders, diplomats, legal scholars, development practitioners, civil society organisations and governance experts, marking the official launch of what HRRG describes as its flagship global recognition programme dedicated to celebrating outstanding leadership in human rights, democratic governance, digital rights, civic participation and sustainable development.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, said the initiative represents a significant milestone in the organisation’s journey to recognise individuals and institutions whose work continues to advance justice, accountability and human dignity.
He explained that although the awards were originally conceived as a special recognition initiative to coincide with the RightsCon 2026 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, the cancellation of the summit did not diminish the remarkable achievements of the selected recipients.
According to him, HRRG’s Board of Directors and Awards Committee unanimously resolved that the inaugural awards should proceed and selected the Africa High-Level Civil Society AML/CFT Conference in Abuja as the platform for the official unveiling.
“Today is not merely about presenting plaques and citations. It is about officially launching a global platform that celebrates individuals and institutions who have consistently chosen courage over convenience, service over self-interest and impact over applause,” Dr. Wemakor stated.
He added that the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards seek to institutionalise global recognition for leaders whose work strengthens democratic governance, protects civic freedoms, advances digital rights and promotes sustainable development across Africa and the wider international community.
Among the top recipients was Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who received the African Democratic Leadership & Regional Integration Award, while Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama was honoured with the African Statesmanship & Democratic Renewal Award for his commitment to democratic governance, inclusive development and regional cooperation.
Kenya’s celebrated constitutional lawyer and Pan-Africanist Professor PLO Lumumba received the Pan-African Legal Thought & Moral Leadership Award, while Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was honoured with the African Diplomacy & Global Solidarity Award for Sustainable Development.
International digital rights organisation Access Now and the RightsCon Global Team were also recognised for their outstanding contribution to advancing internet freedom, digital rights and global collaboration in protecting human rights in the digital age.
Other award recipients included Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Founder and Executive Director of Spaces for Change (S4C); Ing. Dr. George Asiedu, Project Coordinator of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP); Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei, Municipal Chief Executive of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly; Joshua Elikplim Adjei, Programme Officer of Human Rights Reporters Ghana; and Eminence Lead International, a Ghana-based non-profit organisation recognised for leadership development and community transformation.
HRRG said all honourees were selected through an independent assessment process conducted by its Board and Awards Committee based on demonstrated leadership, integrity, measurable impact and outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
Dr. Wemakor expressed appreciation to Spaces for Change (S4C), Civic Advisory Hub (CAH), the organisers of the Africa High-Level Civil Society AML/CFT Conference, members of the HRRG Board and Awards Committee, development partners and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the successful launch of the awards.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to building the HRRG Global RightsCon Awards into one of the world’s leading international recognition platforms celebrating transformational leadership, democratic values, civic freedoms and sustainable development.
The HRRG Global RightsCon Awards, officially launched in Abuja on July 14, 2026, is the flagship global honours programme of Human Rights Reporters Ghana and its partners, recognising exceptional individuals and institutions whose work continues to strengthen democracy, protect human rights and inspire positive change across Africa and beyond.